ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel  Parks to attract investment, boost employment generation,
Provision of Development Capital Support @30% of the project cost,
Provision of Rs. 300 Cr. per park for incentivizing the industries to set up their units in the park,
Sites for PM MITRA Parks will be selected by a Challenge Method with weightage of different parameters,
States like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana expressed interest for PM MITRA Parks
With a view to attract investment, boost employment generation and position itself strongly in the global textile market, the Government has approved setting up of 7  PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel  Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4445 cr for a period of seven years upto 2027-28. The salient features are:-  Willing state governments to have ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel of 1000+ acres for being eligible.  It is envisaged to be on Public Private Partnership  mode.  there is a provision of Development Capital Support  @30% of the project cost with a maximum support of ₹ 500 Cr and ₹200 Crore per park for Greenfield and Brownfield PM MITRA Park respectively. The DCS is for creation of Core Infrastructure.  There is provision of Rs. 300 Cr. per park for incentivizing the industries to set up their units in the park. There is a provision to use 10% of the park’s area for Commercial Development  and revenue stream from CD may help maintenance of common assets and facilities.
The selection of sites will be by way of challenge method with weightage of parameters for examples connectivity, power infrastructure, water and waste water disposal system, Industry Friendly labour laws, Single Window Clearances, Stable and Conducive industrial/textile policy of the state. States like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana have expressed interest so far.
Government of India is implementing the Scheme for Integrated Textile Park  which provides support for creation of world-class infrastructure facilities for setting up of textile units. Government grant upto Rs. 40.00 crores per park is released in instalments, subject to the progress achieved in creation of infrastructure and common facilities. Out of 56 Textile Parks approved/ sanctioned, 24 parks have been completed as per scheme guidelines. In these parks, a total of 1757 units are operational, and Rs.12470 crs of investment have been mobilized and have generated 95644 employment till date.
This information was given by Minister of State for Textiles Smt. Darshana Jardosh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
DJ/TFK
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Visit of Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, OSD, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying to ICAR - National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources  at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, OSD, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying visited the ICAR - National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources  at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and interacted with fish farmers at the institute farms.
The major activities ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources  involve the collection, characterization, cataloguing and documentation of fish genetic resources of difference aquatic ecosystems of the country and their conservation strategies. Further, the institute undertakes research and provides necessary policy guidelines for the introduction of exotics, quarantine for prevention of trans boundary diseases etc.
The Institute also implements the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal diseases  in 21 states through the involvement of 31 health laboratories across the country.
The Director of ICAR-NBFGR gave a presentation about the institute’s Research & Development  activities. Faculty members and ICAR scientists were also present during the meeting. Later, a detailed presentation was also made by the officers of Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh on potential and scope of Inland Fisheries in the state. Dr. Likhi also visited fish farm at Village Mishripur, Block Deva, Barabanki and interacted with fish farmers.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasised that ICAR- NBFGR and the State Govt of UP should make an extensive efforts to create awareness amongst fish farmers about various programmes, activities and related subsidies available to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Private Security Agency  Security personnel to be deployed at 60 Airports for non-core functions in place of CISF
In line with the decision of Govt. of India, a total of 1924 Private Security Agency  Security personnel will be deployed at 60 airports in place of Central Industrial Security Force  posted at non-core duty posts.
The above decision will reduce the Security expenditure and these CISF personnel can be deployed at other airports which will further strengthen the security set-up. This will further help inoperationalization of new Domestic & International Airports.
Airports Authority of India  has appointed 581 Security personnel from Directorate General Resettlement  sponsored Security Agencies for Non-Core posts at 45 Airports. These Security personnel will be deployed after completion of Aviation Security  training program at selected airports. As on date, 161 DGR personnel for 16 airports are attending AVSEC training programs and they will be deployed after completion of training from 24thSeptember 2022.
At Kolkata Airport, already 74 DGR Security personnel have been deployed from 09th September 2022 after attending the AVSEC training program. Deployment process of the remaining security personnel is under process.
Shri Sharad Kumar, APD Chennai along with Shri Sudhir Malik, ED Security during the training session of private security personnel at Chennai Airport
Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy – Sri Lanka Navy Maritime Exercise SLINEX-20 off Trincomalee
The Eighth Edition of annual Indian Navy  – Sri Lanka Navy  bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 is scheduled off Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020. The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura  and Gajabahu led by Rear Admiral Bandara Jayathilaka, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Sri Lanka Navy. Indigenously built ASW corvettesKamorta and Kiltanunder the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, will represent the Indian Navy. In addition, Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter  and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard IN ships, and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be participating. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Visakhapatnam in September 2019.
SLINEX-20 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. In addition, the exercise will also showcase capabilities of our indigenously constructed naval ships and aircraft. Surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions, manoeuvres and cross deck flying operations are planned during the exercise, which will further enhance the high degree of inter-operability already established between the two friendly navies.
SLINEX series of exercise exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain. Interaction between the SLN and IN has also grown significantly in recent years, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Hon’ble PM’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region ’.
Synergy developed during SLINEX exercises resulted in seamless coordination of joint SLN – IN efforts in September 2020 to render assistance to MT New Diamond, a Very Large Crude Carrier , which had caught fire off the East Coast of Sri Lanka.
The exercise is being conducted in a non-contact ‘at-sea-only’ format in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Mines
GSI ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN REGION
Shri M. Additional Director General, Sridhar, ADG of Geological Survey of India  said that five resource bearing and auctionable reports have been submitted to the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, pertaining to exploration of limestone at Tadutla in Guntur district, Chintalayapalli in Kurlool district, Hoskoti and Belgaum in Karnataka and Gold in Ajjanhalli in Karnataka.
Addressing a press conference here today, he said one diamondiferous Kimberlite pipe has been discovered in Wajrakarur field in Anantapur District. He said investigation for manganese in Tumkur district of Karnataka was carried out and estimated resource of 3 Metric tonnes of Manganese ore was found. Shri Sridhar said that, he said an area of 390 sq km was identified as highly favourable zone for gold mineral in parts of Anantapur district.
In Telangana, 89.22 MT iron ore resources have been augmented from Yerrabali, Arnakonda, Chandoli Ambaripeta blocks in Karimnagar district and Rebbannapalli in Adilabad district, Gurimalla, Dabripet, Abbapur, Mallampalli in Khammam and Warangal districts, he said.
Shri Sridhar further said that Seismic Hazard Microzonation studies were being carried out by GSI in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Puducherry, Trichur, Kochi, Ernakulam, Mangaluru. Micro Zones of varying seismic site response have been delineated in these urban agglomerations, he said.
Shri Sridhar said that there is 4,20,000 sq km landslide prone area in country, of which 64751 sq km area is under Southern Region of GSI. Landslide susceptibility mapping was carried out in Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Chickamagalur districts of Karnataka and also detailed site specific study of Biligeri slide, Neriya landslide, Kadwad landslide and Sasnwad landslide. In Tamil Nadu, landslide susceptibility mapping was carried in parts of Theni, Coimbatore, Nilgiri, Dindigul, Palaghat, Trichur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Virudunagar and Kanyakumari districts, he added.
In answer to a question, Shri Sridhar said that the iron ore found in Khammam district Bayyaram, where a steel factory has been proposed is of the Magnetite variety. He said, GSI is going to conduct a research in Uddanam area Srikakulam district, where deaths relating to unidentified kidney ailments have been widely reported, recently.
The Geoscientific activities of the Southern region of GSI are spread over six states, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry  and Kerala. GSI has completed the systematic geological mapping of the six states. GSI is involved in generating data base of mineral resources in the country.
GSI carried out pre-construction and construction stage investigation at major Engineering projects like- J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, Kaleshwaram Project/ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Scheme, ; Sillahalla pumped storage H. E. Project , Kundah pumped storage H. E. Project , ; Meloram Small Hydroelectric Project , Pambla Western Kallar, Keerithodu, Peechad, Upper Sengulam HEP, Chinnar HEP, Upper Kallar  SHEP and Idukki HEP  Kakkayam SHEP , Barapole SHEP, .
PIB Headquarters
1.6 Kg gold worth Rs. 67.7 lakhs and GBP worth Rs 9 lakhs seized by Customs at Chennai Airport. One arrested
On Thursday morning one Thaslima Banu, 29, of Chennai bound for Bangkok by Indigo Airlines flight 6E 91 was intercepted at the departure terminal when she was proceeding to security hold after clearing immigration. On search of hand bag and check in bag foreign currency was found concealed inside. Total 9950 GB Pounds valued at Rs. 9 lakhs were recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962 read with FEMA 2015.
In another case one Vasu Devan, 34, of Chennai, had arrived from Colombo to Chennai by Srilankan Airlines Flight UL 123 was intercepted at exit.On search of his hand baggage 29 gold cut bits weighing 623 grams valued at Rs.25.78 lakhs were recovered from inside the bag and same was seized.
In another three cases ,Noor Mohammed ,24, of Chennai , Shahul Hameed,37, of Tiruchirappallai, arrived from Dubai flight 6E-66 and Haider Ali,56,of Ramanathapuram arrived by AI 906 , were intercepted at exit. On personal search 8 bundles of gold paste recovered from rectum. On extraction total 1 Kg gold valued at Rs. 42 lakhs recovered and seized under Custom Act, 1962.
Gold and GB Pounds worth Rs.76.78 lakhs seized under Customs Act read with FEMA 2015.
Further investigation is in progress, according to a press release issue by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of Shipping issues new guidelines for improving treasury investment for Major Ports
Potential to increase Surplus at ports by Rs 150 Cr
The Ministry of Shipping has undertaken a diverse set of initiatives as part of its drive to boost profitability across major Indian ports. One major initiative is to improve the returns earned on treasury investments by the ports for pension, provident and surplus funds. Across all major ports, these funds add up to around Rs 33,000 crore, yielding interest of around Rs 2,700 crore. Looking for ways to push this amount further, the Ministry has realized an opportunity to improve returns by Rs 150 crore or more through a strategic shift in its guidelines for provident and surplus funds.
As per the most recent guidelines, major ports have been investing their provident and surplus funds in the fixed deposits of nationalized banks, earning returns in the range of 5.5 to 8 percent. However, many PSUs have enjoyed significantly better returns. For instance, ONGC earned 8.4 percent returns through Oil Corporation of India and Government of India special bonds; RECL earned 10 to 11 percent through Tier I bonds of the UP Power Corporation Limited and SBI bonds. Realizing the potential to earn higher returns, the Ministry of Shipping has evaluated its recommended investment pattern in comparison to the frameworks followed by other PSUs and government bodies.
After as a detailed study of investment options available and their achieved performances, the Ministry of Shipping has issued fresh guidelines to all the major ports on the investment of provident funds based on EPFO  guidelines from the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2015, and on the investment of surplus funds based on guidelines from the Department of Public Enterprises  in 2017. These new guidelines are expected to increase the returns of provident and surplus funds by 1 to 1.5 percent across ports, adding around Rs 150 crore annually to the current earning figures.
With the new guidelines, many ports, including Kandla, Goa, JNPT, New Mangalore and Visakhapatnam are all set to switch the investment pattern with higher rate of return. The financial benefit estimated would show up in the books of accounts of major ports from 2018–19. Treasury investments at India’s 12 major ports─ Kandla, Mumbai Port Trust, JNPT, Goa, New Mangalore, Cochin, Tuticorin, Chennai, Ennore, Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, and Kolkata/Haldia─ are governed by Section 88 of the Major Ports Trust Act, 1963. The Act mandates that investments pertaining to pension, provident and surplus funds adhere to the guidelines issued from time to time by the Central Government, i.e., the Ministry of Shipping or Ministry of Finance.
Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF  VISITS GUJARAT DAMAN AND DIU NAVAL AREA
Admiral Karambir Singh, the Chief of the Naval Staff  visited INS Dwarka, Indian Navy's forward operating base at Okha, Gujarat, on new year's eve.
The CNS was briefed by the Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu on maritime operations and security aspects relevant to Gujarat, Daman & Diu  Naval Area. He also took stock of coastal surveillance initiatives by GD&D Area and interacted with personnel from Naval Station Okha and other units.
Appreciating the quality work put in by the station, he encouraged the personnel to keep up the good work as INS Dwarka enters its golden jubilee year. The CNS also wished all personnel and families at GD&D Area the very best for the new year.
(Visitor Counter : 106
IFSC Authority
Invitation for public comments on draft International Financial Services Centres Authority  Regulations, 2022
The International Financial Services Centres Authority , in its endeavour to develop a comprehensive and consistent regulatory framework for establishment of International Branch Campuses  and Offshore Education Centres  by Foreign universities or foreign institutions in the GIFT IFSC has drafted regulations based on global best practices and is seeking public comments on the proposed draft regulations.
The draft regulations aim to enable world-class foreign universities/ other foreign educational institutions to setup IBCs/ OECs in the GIFT IFSC for offering courses/ programmes in the subject areas of Financial Management, FinTech, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Further, inter alia the draft regulations enable foreign universities to establish IBC in IFSC either on stand-alone basis, or on consortium basis with more than one foreign university coming together, or on stand-alone / consortium basis  in partnership with one or more Indian University, Deemed University or Institution of National Importance.
Further, the said draft regulations also provides for collaborative arrangements with one or more foreign university or foreign education institution or one or more domestic universities or deemed universities or institutions of national importance or other Indian educational institutions in areas such as course administration, providing infrastructural facilities, contribution towards minimum capitalization, co-investment, etc.
The registration of IBC/OEC is provided to conduct educational and research courses, including executive education programmes in the GIFT IFSC and the regulations are intended to be the sole legal framework governing the establishment and operation of foreign universities or foreign educational institutions in the GIFT IFSC.
For the purpose of license, the Foreign Universities having secured a position within Top 500 in the latest QS World Universities ranking and Foreign Educational Institutions  which are highly rated within the home jurisdiction as well as regionally or globally is only allowed to maintain the high standards. Further to confer equivalence in course recognition a provision is made wherein, the degree or/ diploma or/ certificate issued with respect to courses or programmes conducted in the IFSC shall enjoy the same recognition in the home jurisdiction of the parent entity as if it were conducted in the home jurisdiction.
The consultation paper along with the draft regulations are available on IFSCA’s website https://ifsca.gov.in/PublicConsultation, inviting comments /suggestions from the general public and stakeholders on the draft regulations on or before July 21, 2022.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh approves 3rd Positive Indigenisation List of 780 strategically important Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems/Components to minimise imports by DPSUs & achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence
In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings  under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the third Positive Indigenisation List  of 780 strategically important Line Replacement Units /Sub-systems/Components with a timeline beyond which they will only be procured from the domestic industry. Details of these items are available on SRIJAN Portal . They will only be procured from Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list.
This list is in continuation to the two PILs of LRUs/Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-assemblies/Components that were published in December 2021 and March 2022. These lists contain 2,500 items which are already indigenised and 458  items which will be indigenised within the given timelines. Out of 458, 167 items  have been indigenised, so far.
Indigenisation of these items will be taken up through different routes under ‘Make’ category. ‘Make’ Category aims to achieve self-reliance by involving greater participation of the Indian industry. Projects involving design and development of equipment, systems, major platforms or upgrades thereof by the industry can be taken up under this category.
The indigenous development of these LRUs/Sub-systems/components will bolster the economy and reduce the import dependence of DPSUs. In addition, it will help to harness the design capabilities of domestic defence industry and position India as a design leader in these technologies.
The DPSUs will soon float Expression of Interest /Request for Proposal  and industry may come forward to participate in large number. The industry may look for EoIs/RFPs on the Srijan dashboard  specifically designed for the purpose.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India reports less than 50K New Daily Cases since the last 8 days
Active Caseload Continues to further contract
India has reported less than 50,000 new daily cases for the eight continuous day. In the last 24 hours, only 41,100 persons were found to be infected with COVID in India. Daily New Cases last crossed the 50K threshold on 7th November. Apart from the successful dissemination of COVID Appropriate Behaviour among the varied population groups, this trend assumes wider significance as many countries in Europe and America continue to see a surge in their daily numbers.
In the last 24 hours, India also registered 42,156 new recoveries which has led to a further contraction of the Active Caseload. India’s present active caseload of 4,79,216 consists of just 5.44% of India’s Total Positive Cases.
15 States/UTs have cases per million lower than India .
New Recoveries outnumbering New Cases every 24-hour cycle has also improved the Recovery Rate to 93.09% today. The total recovered cases stand at 82,05,728. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases that is steadily increasing presently stands at 77,26,512.
79.91% of the new recovered cases are contributed by ten States/UTs.
With 7,117 persons recovering from COVID, Delhi saw the most number of recoveries. Kerala registered 6,793 daily recoveries while West Bengal reported 4,479 new recoveries.
Ten States/UTs have contributed 82.87% of the new cases.
Delhi reported 7,340 cases in the last 24 hours. Kerala recorded 6,357 new cases while Maharashtra reported 4,237 new cases yesterday.
85.01% of the 447 case fatalities that have been reported in the past 24 hours are from Ten States/UTs.
23.5% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra which reported 105 deaths. Delhi and West Bengal follow with 96 and 53 new deaths, respectively.
21 States/UTs have death per million lower than National Average of 94.